Childrens Place to give back Disney Stores!!

[msmickminn]

Too bad we did not have space we could go and support each other more privately.

We do! The CM board is a private forum just for us.

 

[LMCT88]

Hi, now will Children's Place employees have tenure, or are they considered new where they never worked for the Disney Company and are former disney employees keeping there tenure. Meaning if you weren't employed by Disney before are you starting over.

 

[fairygodmother29577]

We do! The CM board is a private forum just for us.

I thought I tried to join this once before but I was told I did not qualify since were not Disney owned. It doesn't matter anymore I suppose since the transition is taking place in the morning. Thank you though!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

We do! The CM board is a private forum just for us.

I just tried to get on that forum and I couldn't. How should I go about joining it again?

 

[dis24242]

I"m still in shock, I'm thinkin' tomorrow things will become lots clearer because Disney can talk to the stores. The DM will be Disney and can talk to the stores as Disney and tell them what's really going on. Maybe

This whole process just doesn't make sense to me, a 13 year cast guy.

I think what hurts most is it seems like Disney is turning their back on an old store (like us) and old cast in favor of a new "outlet" store in my state with new people who don't seem to have a clue about Disney traditions and stuff like that.

Why sign Disney ID paper work?
Why liquid signage for stores on either list?
Why sign acceptance papers this week-end but have liquid signs in the store?
Why all the secrets?
Why do managers have different ideas as to what's going on?

Just hurting and holding out for a miracle. I want to go home so much.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I"m still in shock, I'm thinkin' tomorrow things will become lots clearer because Disney can talk to the stores. The DM will be Disney and can talk to the stores as Disney and tell them what's really going on. Maybe

This whole process just doesn't make sense to me, a 13 year cast guy.

I think what hurts most is it seems like Disney is turning their back on an old store (like us) and old cast in favor of a new "outlet" store in my state with new people who don't seem to have a clue about Disney traditions and stuff like that.

Why sign Disney ID paper work?
Why liquid signage for stores on either list?
Why sign acceptance papers this week-end but have liquid signs in the store?
Why all the secrets?
Why do managers have different ideas as to what's going on?

Just hurting and holding out for a miracle. I want to go home so much.

I wish I had the answers to all of those questions...but I don't. I don't know if there was a rhyme or reason to how the stores were selected - either way, I don't know if knowing would be any easier for the closing stores. Hopefully tomorrow there will be more communication from Disney.

I closed at my store tonight and although we are safe (so far), we did talk about the stores that are closing and how terrible we feel for those CMs. We are thinking about the closing stores and I really wish there was something we could do. Please know that we are thinking about you all.

 

[remain seated please]

I"m still in shock, I'm thinkin' tomorrow things will become lots clearer because Disney can talk to the stores. The DM will be Disney and can talk to the stores as Disney and tell them what's really going on. Maybe

This whole process just doesn't make sense to me, a 13 year cast guy.

I think what hurts most is it seems like Disney is turning their back on an old store (like us) and old cast in favor of a new "outlet" store in my state with new people who don't seem to have a clue about Disney traditions and stuff like that.

Why sign Disney ID paper work?
Why liquid signage for stores on either list?
Why sign acceptance papers this week-end but have liquid signs in the store?
Why all the secrets?
Why do managers have different ideas as to what's going on?

Just hurting and holding out for a miracle. I want to go home so much.

Based on my own personal experience with Disney Stores and with business in general, I will try to take a stab at the questions you posed.

Like most businesses in transition, Disney needs to give the impression of "business as usual" while it decides what to do with the stores. Of course it is very possible (in fact quite probable) that they have already decided the fate of all of the stores. Having you sign ID paperwork, acceptance papers, etc. are all necessary from a human relations standpoint. It has nothing to do with the future of the stores.

There are no secrets. Just confidential information that does not need to be revealed at this point. Very few people probably know what is really going on.

If and when managers are clued in on what is happening, they are often given gag orders from their bosses, which often force them to lie to their employees. Disney is legendary for doing this. There are some managers who are too close to their own employees and cannot remain quiet about things like this. This often leads to turmoil and low morale in the stores because once the word gets out, it puts everyone in a difficult position.

I was one of two assistant managers at my store when the store manager left the company. The other assistant felt an entitlement to the store manager job. She had over five years with the company. But I had more management experience and was the better candidate. I accepted the offer a few days before my DM was to go on vacation. She said that she wanted to wait until after she returned before making the announcement. I had to agree to continue working with the other assistant for an entire week. During that time, the other assistant acted as if she already had the job, barking orders to everyone, including me. Imagine her shock when the DM returned from vacation.

I only shared that story because when you speak of confusion and thinking that Disney has turned their back or doesn't care about people, you are right. It is a controlled confusion. I have said before that Disney could care less about you, the "castmember". There are thousands of CM's who are hired and fired by Disney every year. The company's HR department is huge and they have a plan for every single business scenario imaginable.

Unfortunately, the only ones invested here are people like you. Five, ten and thirteen year employees who have been bounced back and forth from one company to the next. It is sad that you are all going through this, but you honestly can't say you didn't expect it. If so, you have been played the fools. And for those who are still clinging on to hope, it's time to leave "Fantasyland" behind and come back to the real world.

Finally, for those of you who "want to go home" so badly. You have homes and you have families. Your loyalties and priorities are a bit lost, and you are in for some major pain if you don't pull your heads out of the pixie dust. Trust me. I can offer this tough love because I have experienced the absolute worst treatment that a Disney Castmember could ever experience. I lived through it. I overcame the pain and the anger. I bounced back from feeling worthless and betrayed. And I was able to find closure, peace and happiness in my life when I realized that believe it or not, there actually is life after the mouse. The real world is much better than "Fantasyland".

It's been 7 years since I found my life A.D. (After Disney) and I am a much better person today than the person I was when Disney ruled my life.

I hope this message motivates some of you to move on.

 

[dis24242]

Finally, for those of you who "want to go home" so badly. You have homes and you have families. Your loyalties and priorities are a bit lost, and you are in for some major pain if you don't pull your heads out of the pixie dust. Trust me. I can offer this tough love because I have experienced the absolute worst treatment that a Disney Castmember could ever experience. I lived through it. I overcame the pain and the anger. I bounced back from feeling worthless and betrayed. And I was able to find closure, peace and happiness in my life when I realized that believe it or not, there actually is life after the mouse. The real world is much better than "Fantasyland".

It's been 7 years since I found my life A.D. (After Disney) and I am a much better person today than the person I was when Disney ruled my life.

I hope this message motivates some of you to move on.

What a GREAT response ....
So with that it's time to look forward to retirement from my full time job.
My wife and I have been getting ready for the move - part time anyway - to Florida.
Disney is part of me now and leaving it all behind is not what I can do. But moving away from TDS and maybe working and having fun at WDW is what is next. After over 50 trips I know there are so many different things I'd like to do in the park.

Time to move on ....

What a GREAT Response .... thanks for the emotional help !!

 

[dogodisney]

This is from the Disney website....

https://licensing.disney.com/Home/display.jsp?contentId=449718&forPrint=false&language=en&preview=false&imageShow=0&pressRoom=US&translationOf=null&region=0&ccPK=null


The Walt Disney Company Takes Control of Disney Stores in North America



Burbank, CA— May 1, 2008—The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today announced that it has acquired the Disney Store chain in North America from subsidiaries of The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc. As a result of the transaction, which consisted of an asset purchase by Disney's subsidiaries through the bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings of Hoop Retail Stores, LLC in Delaware and Hoop Canada, Inc. in Canada, Disney acquired approximately 220 Disney Stores in the United States and Disney Stores in Canada, with actual number of acquired stores dependent upon the outcome of negotiations with landlords. Disney also obtained the right to conduct an orderly wind-down and closure of approximately 98 Disney Stores in the United States and two Disney Stores in Canada, but without assuming the leases for such stores.

"From Cars to High School Musical to Disney Fairies, Disney's entertainment engines are producing multiple popular franchises," said Andy Mooney, chairman of Disney Consumer Products. "The Disney Stores can play a vital role in touching the millions who cross their thresholds. With the reach of a global retail chain, we will be better able to take advantage of our franchises."

Mr. Mooney announced that retail and Disney veteran James D. Fielding has accepted the position of President, Disney Stores Worldwide. Mr. Fielding will oversee merchandising and all other operations of the Disney Stores in North America and the 107 existing Disney Stores in Europe, as well as manage the relationship with Oriental Land Company, which operates the Disney Stores in Japan under a license arrangement. (Mr. Fielding's biography can be found at www.disneyconsumerproducts.com).

About The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with four business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, and consumer products. Disney is a Dow 30 company, had annual revenues of over $35.5 billion in its most recent fiscal year, and a market capitalization of $61 billion as of April 30, 2008.


I hope my local store isn't affected.

 

[Violet Crayon]

I am a cast member of the Disney Store in Wauwatosa, Wi. We were all excited that pictures were being taken, our store was on the list to be kept and all was well. We were planning our "Welcome Home" party...Most of our cast have been there 10 years or more. We were the 47th Disney Store to open. Last night we were told that the Mall wouldn't negotiate our lease and we would be closing. Talk about being in shock! Where do you take your family of 16 years when they close the doors on you?

Oh no, I am in shock too, and in tears. I know you guys as voices on the phone and I thought both of us were safe. This whole situation has been awful.

 

[missingcastmember]

You know, after reading the previous postings...I don't have my head in the pixie dust....and I am well aware of how Disney can treat their cast, but what really hurts is having to say goodbye to all the cast. We have all worked together for more than 10 years. It hurts...we were the 47th store and now there are stores still around and we aren't. Our cast member retention is in the top 10 percent of the stores..we are proud of this and now all we can think of is singing the words we all used to sing..about four years ago..."Now it's time to say good-bye..." Hey, if I could get to work in a place where we could all go, this wouldn't be a problem. Yes, we will all move on..but wouldn't it have been nicer to do it on our own and not be LIQUIDATED!

 

[Mickey&Donald]

Well. I just got the call. We're done.

 

[missingcastmember]

I'm so sorry-I know exactly how you are feeling...It SUCKS!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I was one of two assistant managers at my store when the store manager left the company. The other assistant felt an entitlement to the store manager job. She had over five years with the company. But I had more management experience and was the better candidate. I accepted the offer a few days before my DM was to go on vacation. She said that she wanted to wait until after she returned before making the announcement. I had to agree to continue working with the other assistant for an entire week. During that time, the other assistant acted as if she already had the job, barking orders to everyone, including me. Imagine her shock when the DM returned from vacation.

I only shared that story because when you speak of confusion and thinking that Disney has turned their back or doesn't care about people, you are right. It is a controlled confusion. I have said before that Disney could care less about you, the "castmember". There are thousands of CM's who are hired and fired by Disney every year. The company's HR department is huge and they have a plan for every single business scenario imaginable.

Unfortunately, the only ones invested here are people like you. Five, ten and thirteen year employees who have been bounced back and forth from one company to the next. It is sad that you are all going through this, but you honestly can't say you didn't expect it. If so, you have been played the fools. And for those who are still clinging on to hope, it's time to leave "Fantasyland" behind and come back to the real world.

Finally, for those of you who "want to go home" so badly. You have homes and you have families. Your loyalties and priorities are a bit lost, and you are in for some major pain if you don't pull your heads out of the pixie dust. Trust me. I can offer this tough love because I have experienced the absolute worst treatment that a Disney Castmember could ever experience. I lived through it. I overcame the pain and the anger. I bounced back from feeling worthless and betrayed. And I was able to find closure, peace and happiness in my life when I realized that believe it or not, there actually is life after the mouse. The real world is much better than "Fantasyland".

It's been 7 years since I found my life A.D. (After Disney) and I am a much better person today than the person I was when Disney ruled my life.

I hope this message motivates some of you to move on.

I am glad you found your life after Disney, but some people don't care to nor do they want to. Even though you say you have worked through the issues from when TDS hurt you, you obviously are not over them yet - if you were, you wouldn't continue posting long posts about how we should 'get our heads out of the pixie dust' and how we're living in a Fantasyland. I like it here in Fantasyland and I'm not leaving - regardless of what any ex-Cast Member says. You didn't like it, so you left - good for you. I love it and I'm staying.

I have my priorities in order - I have many families. I have my family that I live with and love with all of my heart, I have my dancing school family - where I have belonged for 25 years now and I have my Disney family. I don't want to give any of them up. They are all different and unique and I can't imagine life without them. Yes, just like 'regular' families, sometimes there are rough times and patches, but I wouldn't jump ship just because of one incident. I stick it out and think of the good times and not the bad times.

You hope your message 'motivates' people to move on...what are you, an anti-Disney spokesperson? If anything, your message makes me want to stay with Disney and with my Disney family so I don't become bitter like you obviously have become. Instead of trying to point people in your direction, why not offer some sympathy for those who are losing their jobs?

I guess I'll just never understand...

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

You know, after reading the previous postings...I don't have my head in the pixie dust....and I am well aware of how Disney can treat their cast, but what really hurts is having to say goodbye to all the cast. We have all worked together for more than 10 years. It hurts...we were the 47th store and now there are stores still around and we aren't. Our cast member retention is in the top 10 percent of the stores..we are proud of this and now all we can think of is singing the words we all used to sing..about four years ago..."Now it's time to say good-bye..." Hey, if I could get to work in a place where we could all go, this wouldn't be a problem. Yes, we will all move on..but wouldn't it have been nicer to do it on our own and not be LIQUIDATED!

Please know that I'm thinking about you and your Cast right now.

 

[WI WDWGIRL]

I have been a CM for almost 10 years and it is truely diheartening to know that our "home" is being closed. And that last inventory was surreal. The lead inventory person asked me why our cast was "so salty." I had to tell a stranger about our "family." After a 10 minute discussion, her final words were..."boy, that's just not the Disney way..."

 

[remain seated please]

What a GREAT response ....
So with that it's time to look forward to retirement from my full time job.
My wife and I have been getting ready for the move - part time anyway - to Florida.
Disney is part of me now and leaving it all behind is not what I can do. But moving away from TDS and maybe working and having fun at WDW is what is next. After over 50 trips I know there are so many different things I'd like to do in the park.

Time to move on ....

What a GREAT Response .... thanks for the emotional help !!

Glad to help. Good luck and thanks for reading these posts with an open mind.

However...

I am glad you found your life after Disney, but some people don't care to nor do they want to. Even though you say you have worked through the issues from when TDS hurt you, you obviously are not over them yet - if you were, you wouldn't continue posting long posts about how we should 'get our heads out of the pixie dust' and how we're living in a Fantasyland. I like it here in Fantasyland and I'm not leaving - regardless of what any ex-Cast Member says. You didn't like it, so you left - good for you. I love it and I'm staying.

You hope your message 'motivates' people to move on...what are you, an anti-Disney spokesperson? If anything, your message makes me want to stay with Disney and with my Disney family so I don't become bitter like you obviously have become. Instead of trying to point people in your direction, why not offer some sympathy for those who are losing their jobs?

I guess I'll just never understand...

Where do I begin?
Actually, your last line says it all.

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

I have been a CM for almost 10 years and it is truely diheartening to know that our "home" is being closed. And that last inventory was surreal. The lead inventory person asked me why our cast was "so salty." I had to tell a stranger about our "family." After a 10 minute discussion, her final words were..."boy, that's just not the Disney way..."

Please know that I am thinking about your Cast. I'm in like shellshock that so many stores are closing. Please know that I'm thinking about you!

 

[WI WDWGIRL]

Please know that I am thinking about your Cast. I'm in like shellshock that so many stores are closing. Please know that I'm thinking about you!

Thank you. While we are waiting for more answers to come, like when, unfortuneately, we will never know the why. I tried calling the landlord, but he directed me to call THE DISNEY COMPANY. Anybody out there have a phone number?

 

[mapmakerj]

Are you at the Mayfair Mall Store? I was just there a week ago. I live up in Oshkosh and that store is the closest to us at a little over an hour drive. I am sorry to hear about the closings. First we lost the closest store up in Appleton after the CP takeover, then we lost the next closest very recently in Madison, and now this. I think we will only have one DS and one DOutlet in the state left.